Circuit breaker



April 21, 1931.

A. H. BAKKEN CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed March 24, 1921 ffy. a,

I INVENTOR Andrew #Bair/ren.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE N'DREW H. BAKXEN, OF EDGEWOOD kPARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC 6c MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYL- vANIA CIRCUIT BREAKER Application med March 24, 19.21.

My invention relates to circuit breakers and particularly to the mechanism by which circuit breakers are automatically opened under predetermined conditions.

The object of my invention is to provide a mechanism whereby the automatic tripping operation is effected with a high degree of efficiency.

' My construction permits of the use of a wider air-gap between the movable core member that actuates the tripping rod, and the stationary core member or pole piece, that magnetically attracts the movable core member.

I accomplish the foregoing bythe provision of mechanism' that has a counter-balancing effect on the movable tripping elements and thereby assists the stationary magnetizable member in overcoming theinertia of such parts. Thisr construction permits the employment of a comparatively wide air-gap, which results in a heavier impact by the movable tripping members'.

The Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing is a view, partially in side elevational and partially in section, of the tripping mechanism of avcircuit breaker having my invention embodied therein, and

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement of circuits wherebythe operation of certain of the automatic tripping apparatus is controlled.

A panel 1 supports a handle 2, an automatically releasable lever 3, and electromagnetic coils 4, 5 and 6, in the usual manner.

A latch 7 is provided for normally maintaining the tripping lever 3 and the manually-operated handle 2 in locked relation. An operating rod 8 carries a movable core member 9 which is adapted to be moved upwardly under the inliuence of a stationary magnetizable member or pole piece `10, which is energized'by the electromagnetic coil 4. This movement of the rod 8 trips the latch 7 to permit the lever 3 to move independently of the manually-controlled handle 2.

The rod 8 has sliding engagement with the pole piece 10V and, in addition to the movable core member 9, has an auxiliary core member 11 secured at its lower end movable in relation thereto. The core member 11 is shown Serial N o. 455,219.

passes through a of which extend into slots 17 and bracket 15 in such movement therein.

The rod 8 extend through a bushing 19 and is provided with he o eratin rod and the parts carried therebly. Thi; position of the spring may be adjusted by means .of a set screw 24 to so position it that the weight of the moving members will compress 1t sufficiently to permit such members to reach their normally retracted position and at the same time have suliicient tension td substantially counter-balance the weight of themova-ble parts when they are in retracted position.

In the application of the invention just described, the coils 4 and 5 are normally constantly supplied, through a transformer 26, w1th current from the main circuit 27, and exert opposing forces on the movable core members 9 and 11, respectively.

hen a predetermined abnormal condition occurs in the main circuit, the coil 6 is energized through the closing of its circuit 28 by a relay 29, and tends-to set up a flux that is counter tothe flux of the coil 5, thus neutralizing the effect of the coil 5 and permitting the movable core member 9 to travel upward under the influence of the coil 4 and the pole movablecore memben, whereby the rod isV piece 10, carrying with it the operating rod 8 and tripping the latch 7 i It will be observed that the spring 22 acts as a counter-balance to the weight of the rod 8 and the parts carried thereby. rlhis construction permits the use of a comparatively Vlarge number of ampere turns in the coil il,

because of the wide air-gap between the movable core member 9 and the pole pieceV lOand by reasonbf the assistance rendered by the spring 22 in overcomin-gthe inertiaof the movable members. A further advantage resides in the fact that the movable members are enabled to travel a greater distance before the operating Vrod 8 comes into engagement with the locking member 7, and a more effective blow is secured by reason of the additional momentum. Y *Y Y Y Various modifications may bemadein the construction without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, as defined inthe accompanying claims.

Y I claim as my invention: Y

l, In combination, a stationary magnetizable core member, a'movablecore member normally in spaced relation thereto, an operating rod for carrying the movable core member, 'a

guide for the rod, an auxiliary stationary core A member, an auxiliary movable core member secured to the operating rod adJacent the lower end thereof in position to be acted upon by the auxiliary stationary core member, ay

spring in position to be. compressed by the operating rod when said position, and'means for neutralizing the n'etic attraction between theauxiliary movable corey member and the auxiliary magnetizable core member.y Y Y y Y 2. vIn combination, a stationary magnetizable core member, a movable coremember associated therewith, a rod for supporting said movable coremember that is movable therewith, an auxiliary stationary core member, an auxiliary movable core member supported on the rod in spaced relation' tothe lirst said moved when either of the movable core members is actuatedby the associated stationary core member.

3. In combination, a stationary magnetizaV ble c ore member, a movablecoremember associated' therewith, a `rod for supporting said movable core member that ismovable therewith, an auxiliaryV stationary core member, 'an auxiliary movable core memberpivotally supported on the rod, whereby the rod lis moved when either of the movable core inembers is actuated byiits associated'stationary core member.V Y

4. In vcombination with a releasable controlling lever, of a latch for said lever, a rod for releasinesaid latch, two independent core i f members attached to the rod, amagnetizable member associated `Vwith each of said core Vmembers and a'biasingfmeans for exerting a rod is in retracted'Y vexerting a`V force onsaidrrod for moving it toward said latch.

6. In combination with a circuit-interrupter latching mechanism, of a rod for releasing said mechanism, two stationary core members in spaced relation to each other, two movable core members independently attached to said rod in such manner' as to be respectively associated with a stationary core member, two series-connected windings differentially associated with said core member,

a-biasing means for applying a force to said rod against the'retaining force of one of saidV windings and a third winding for rendering the retaining force of said winding ineffective. 1 Y 1 1 7 In combination with a circuit-inter rupter latching mechanism, of a rod for releasing said mechanism, two stationary core members, two movable core members attached tosaid rod, 'one in pivotal relation thereto, two windings associated with said core members, onefor preventing and the other for causing Vmovement Vof said rod anda third winding for renderingV the one windingineffective for preventing themovement ofsaid rod.4 Y Y 8. Incombinatioma pair of windings each having a stationary -core member associated therewith,a movable member, a'pair of core members eachV attached tosaid movable member, one being in pivotal relation thereto,a biasing means for actuating said movable member and an additional windingV for rendering one of said pair of windings ineffective under certain predetermined conditions.

9. In combination, a pair of windings each having-a stationary core memberV associated therewith, a movable member, a pair of core members each attached to said movable member, one being invpivotalrelation thereto, a

Vbiasing kmeans for actuating said movable member, adjustable means Vfor changing-the' leffective force of the biasing vmeans and a third winding' for rendering oneof said pair of windings ineffective under certainprede-VH termined conditions. Y Y.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subits,

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scribed my name this 18th day of March,-l921.

ANDREI/V H. BAKKEN.

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